A sports bet is a wager on the outcome of a game or event. It is a great way to add excitement and fun to your watching experience, while also potentially making some extra cash. Whether you are betting with friends, watching on TV or online, there are some basic rules that should be followed in order to maximize your chances of winning.
Know Your Odds
The most common type of bet is the point spread, which indicates the margin by which a team must win to cover the bet. The higher the point spread, the more money a bet on that side will pay out. Conversely, a lower point spread means that the underdog must win by more points in order to cover the bet.
Another popular bet is the Over/Under, which focuses on the total number of points scored in a game. This type of bet can often provide great value, as the outsized handle on high-profile teams forces books to shade their lines toward their opponents, creating opportunities for bettors to find +EV wagers on underdogs.
Learn to Fade
One of the best ways to increase your profit margins is by “fading” a favorite, which means placing bets against public opinion. This is a great strategy if you have the ability to do so without deviating from your overall betting plan. It can be tricky, though, as the majority of bettors tend to overvalue the favorite, which leads to huge betting action on that team and skewed odds.